Rio de Janeiro Tour guide
 

HI everyone. My name is Luciana and I´ve been back living in Rio for 5 years now and have been a tour guide in Rio and leader around Brasil for 3.5 years now. If anyone needs some help or information i´d be happy to try and help out and answer questions, share info, tips etc. Rio is truly the marvellous city and Brasil a very varied and exciting place to visit. Come and explore !!

Luciana

What is your opinion of the Sofitel

hi, the sofitel is a very good hotel and the location between ipanema and copacabana is great. HOWEVER if it´s for now they are going to begin redecorating the bottom or top ( cant remember ) 4 floors of hotel, which will take around 5 months. and cause some noise and chaos. Otherwise id recommend it anytime. Go for pestana hotel on copa beach or the rio international, 2 great options.

Thanks for the input. Has the construction already begun?

Hi Luciana,

We are trying to decide on a holiday for next Summer. 2 adults and 1 six year old child. Is Brazil a good place for little children vacationing? Where is the best place to go in this situation?

Thank You.

hi, right, a 6 year old child, depends on what kind of holiday you want, if its a boy or girl, do they enjoy the beach, football, adventure. What kind of thing does your child enjoy doing ? People in Brasil are very children friendly, children eat out late, stay up late and genereally take part in every day life. Give me some clues and I'll help you out.

First, thanks for volunteering to share information!
1. We live in NYC and going to S. America for 8 days. 2 days at Rio, 2 at Iguazu, 2 at Bs.As. and my husband want to stay one more day in Rio, and one less in Iguazu. What is your opinion? Should we rather spend 2 days to see Iguazu falls from both sides? or rather explore Rio longer?
2. do u know a good travel agency or way to buy a cheap flight ticket? We r weighing over whether to book through travel agency or ourselves.
Thanks!!!

We'll be in Rio on Dec 4, 5, & 6 and plan to spend 1/2 day each on Corcovado and Sugarloaf. Is it realistic to see them both on the same day? What is the best time to view each of these sights, in the AM or the PM? We are not going as part of a group so we can schedule our own time.

PS: to hc2109 We are leaving JFK & going for 3 days Rio, 2 Iguazu and 5 BA. If you'd like info on how we're going you can email me at [email protected]

Hi irvbur, re seeing the statue of christ and sugar loaf, it's possible to do them both on one day, or even in say 5 hours. Depends on how you go. In December this is our time when there are many cruise liners in. Due to this i would recommend going up the statue by taxi or by train no later than 8:30am. By train is nicer but takes longer. You may have a little while to wait also to get back down. Tickets have time on them for trip up but it's up to you what time you come down.
As for the sugar loaf, its a two way cable car trip, 4 in all, 3 minutes each. But a lovely time to do it if the weather is good is sunset. In December around 8pm.
Most day tours in Rio include both, or half days do one or other and add beaches or a brief visit to town centre. To see the centre properly and safely please get a guide. Also would recommend statue with guide so you can have full appreciation of what you're seeing and get your bearings. Then sugar loaf you can do with or without. Is very close to beach area and easily done by taxi. If you want other suggestions feel free to ask. hope this helps, Oh i personally think it is nice to do the 2 main viewpoints on separate days, the sugar loaf is very relaxing, has a good seating area and you can also do a helicopter ride over the city from the first stop.

Can anyone comment on the Copacabana Palace Hotel vs. the Cesar Ipanema.

Thanks you

Roosevelt.

Re: the Copa Palace versus the Cesar Park...

A look at their websites actually will give you a good view of the two hotels, and their differences. The first obvious difference is location. The former is in Copacabana, the latter is in Ipanema. Ipanema is way better, safer and cleaner and it is where you want to be. (Either Ipanema or Leblon.) Yet, that might be the only "downside" to the Copacabana Palace.

It is old world, very impressive, has beautiful public areas and great service. The pool area is beautiful and looks like it stepped out of a 1930s Hollywood movie. The hotel is very expensive. The rooms can differ a lot. Thus, you may well have to splurge on the even more costly rooms to get the "full effect" of the hotel.

The Cesar Park is in a great locaton on Ipanema, right across from one of the best spots on Ipanema Beach. The hotel is modern (though showing its age a bit at this point) and reminds me more of a business/travel hotel than a resort hotel. The pool on the roof is tiny. There are many restaurants and stores close by to the Cesar Park.

There is a brand new hotel, the Fasano, that just opened. Very upscale. There is one in Sao Paolo which is tops. Look at that one too.
Have fun. Rio is great.

I booked at the Fasano in Rio for my trip in February and I am anxiously awaiting some firsthand reviews. I would be especially interested in a comparison between the oceanfront superior rooms and the oceanfront deluxe rooms. Thanks!

my friend and I plan to be SA next Sept.would like a guide for Rio and iguazzuar . .Can you tell us about someone or do you do guide work???we will be finishng a grand circle tour that doesn't include these places

We will be in Rio on 11/26 and 11/27. Can you recommend group tour operators we might contact for one or both of those days? Thanks...

hiya
i have been taking a group tour round south america for the past month, hence I havent had access to this, I'll check all messages tomorrow and reply, sorry for the delay, saludos,

hi, right, for ddjwms I can recommend a very good guide if you want one, who can also provide transport for the full day, or for transfers or whatever you want. Her name is Raquel, she speaks english fluently and will organize the day(s) to show you the most important spots, others known by locals only and according to your interests. She is totally reliable and works more with couples, families than bigger groups. Please let me know if you would like her email. She is available on those days.
It's very hot here at the mo, over 100oF so come prepared.

gypsyluce - what's the weather like now? We will arrive in Brazil (sao paulo and rio) 12/2/07 for 2 weeks

Hi Luciana, I'm arriving Rio DEC28 and I'm leaving JAN01.

I have some questions regarding:

-prices, regular prices, i need to know how much money i will need every day. and i need it to be the less possible =P (im from argentina so exchange rate it's not on my side)

-discos, pubs prices

-best places to buy excursions

tnx!

hiya
right, re the weather, its being really mixed at the moment, In Sao Paulo its always colder than rio, espec at night, today max in sao paulo 240C and at night anything between 10 and 13oC, in Rio max today 30oC and at night down to 17oC. Rain is possible at any time in either city and unless a major cold front comes up from argentina it doesnt usually rain for long, but if it does it can last for a day or two, so come prepared. But even then it doesnt get too cold at all.
Check weather on http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?world=0109
and put in sao paulo or rio de janeiro, or http://tempo.terra.com.br/
and choose the cities.
hope this helps, any more info please ask.

hiya Jaunis
right, you
Hi Luciana, I'm arriving Rio DEC28 an're here at one of the most expensive times, over new year. Prices will be higher for hotels but all rest stays the same. How much money you will need every day will depend on where you are staying, the entrance fee to sugar loaf is 35 reais about 20 dollars, and statue of christ the same, you can walk up to first part of sugar loaf for free. Then catch cable car. Botanical gardens 4 reais.
food varies, you can eat well for about 8 dollars, at kilo style restaurants or bars with executive lunches. Dinners always mor expensive. Fill up on hotel breakfast. Buses cost 2 reais, metro 2.4 reais. Drinks 2-3 reais for beer, soft drinks, coconut water etc. in bars up to 4 reais, coctails up to 10.
Best place for excursions - BTR or grayline but you'll have a lot of waiting for other tourists on the bus, maybe 3 hours during whole tour. Don't get a taxi up to statue, much more expensive.

I'll help you more later on, hope this helps.

Hi Luciana,

I am visiting Rio for 1 night on 12 Fen 2008 before going to Buzios for 7 night for a bachelor party. What Hotel would you recommend we stay at in Rio to have the most fun and experience the most? We would like a hotel with a lot of young people and great bar near the best social life. Price is not an object, we just want the best place. Thanks

Hi Luciana,

I'm going to be visiting Rio for 11 days for Carnaval (Feb 2 till feb 13). I'm planning to stay in Copacabana as the prices in Ipanema are extremely high at that time. Is this a good choice? What would I be missing out from Ipanema?
Also, how is the mass transportation system in Rio? Is it easy to get around using Subways and busses ?
I'm thinking of staying at the Hotel Angrense for 5 days and then move to the hotel California Othon after that. Are these hotels at good spots in Rio? If not, what hotels would you recommned that are closer to the action?
Thanks in advance. Un abrazo

The Hotel California is in a good spot for a hotel but I have never heard of Hotel Angrense, probably not in a good spot. If you can, try to stay in the Hotel California the whole time if this is your budget.

The California is right next to the Marriott on Ave Atlantica ocean front.

<font color="red">I'm going to be visiting Rio for 11 days for Carnaval (Feb 2 till feb 13). I'm planning to stay in Copacabana as the prices in Ipanema are extremely high at that time. Is this a good choice? What would I be missing out from Ipanema?
Also, how is the mass transportation system in Rio? Is it easy to get around using Subways and busses ?
I'm thinking of staying at the Hotel Angrense for 5 days and then move to the hotel California Othon after that. Are these hotels at good spots in Rio? If not, what hotels would you recommned that are closer to the action?
Thanks in advance. Un abrazo</font>

You won't be missing much in Ipanema plus its close so you can walk there every day and go to the beach which might be a little nicer. The beach in front of the California is very nice, its the same beach as the Marriott.

The subway or metro you would use to go downtown or centro but I can't see why you would want to go there more than once. The buses are good, but where are you planning to go? You are better off just staying in Copacabana and Ipanema and they are very close either walk or take taxis.

hi, Olimareno, re the transport subway system, it only runs as far as near end of copacabana beach, it's cheap and pretty safe and well maintained, and takes you to centre, get a guide if you go to centre to do historical area and be able to explain about go and no go areas. Never heard about hotel angrense and their site is not working at mo, so would give it a miss, go for california. Pretty good location. You wont be missing much of the action as you can get to ipanema easily. It all depends what you want to do and see, if only carnival then stick between copacabana and ipanema and maybe the lagoon area, if more then let me know what your interests are.

We will be in Rio March 6,7,8,9 2008. We would like to have a private tour guide to take us to places we might not discover for ourselves. We have been to Rio many years ago...can you recommend someone?

hi, most certainly can. Her name is Raquel Cerques and she's been a guide for 5 years now, she's very reliable, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and vary caring and flexible. She used to work as a journalist too. Her email is
[email protected], she'll be able to inform you of costs, options of places to visits, her availabilty etc. If I can help you any further please let me know. I myself will be working most of those days.

Hi Luciana!
Ok then, I'm (gulp!) going to be 60--a very young 60! For my 50th, I spent the night (all night) under the full moon at Macchu Pichu in the ruins.

I'm thinking that Brazil or Cambodia would be a good choice, but I need something special to make it memorable (not that Rio wouldn't be amazing by itself). But that most spiritual/exciting/unforgettable place/experience would be? (I've thought about the hang gliding off the top of the mountain there, but..)
Thanks so much for your help!

hi, when are you going to be here so I can try to help you more. What are your interests, who will you be travelling with ? I'll try to find something really special

Nice--thanks so much for your rapid response.
My birthday is October 6, so can be there before or after. Whether it's Rio or somewhere else in Brazil, I'm excited to hear your ideas--something that will be unforgettable--we're open to any new experience. Thanks again!

Hi Luciana-

I will be going to Rio in March with 5 or 6 friends for my bachelor party and had a few questions (1) Do you know of a way to find a large apartment or house in Ipanema or Leblon that we could rent (i.e., 6 or 7 bedrooms)? (2) Do you think it would be possible to get a driver with a van for the week? (3) Are there drivers that would take a large group to Buzios for a few days? Or would it be better just to take a bus, which I've done before?

Thank you very much in advance!

Joe

Could you send me your email address gypsyluce? I would love to contact you when I get to Rio.

hiya, right I'll try and let you know re apartments as soon as I get info. Re the van, yes I can arrange that for you, someone to meet you at airport, and take you around, a guide, whatever you need. And I can get you a van to Buzios for all, prob a bit more expensive than going by bus but much less hassle, quicker etc. Just give me an idea of what and when you want and I can start arranging things.

hi, my email address is [email protected]
let me know how I can help and I'll be only to pleased to.